Hangar Mounting Assembly With Adjustable Height Gages

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box between two supports. The mounting assembly includes two elongated members, each elongated member having an end mount. The elongated members are slidably coupled to each other, thereby allowing the mounting assembly to be telescopically extended. Each elongated member also includes an adjustable height gage located at the end of each end mount. A vertical position of the height gage is capable of being adjusted relative to the mounting assembly. Electrical boxes of various standard sizes may be accommodated by adjusting the height gages.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/367,523 filed Jul. 26, 2010 by Jack R. Kerr,Jr., which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to support assemblies. Specifically, and not byway of limitation, the present invention relates to a hangar mountingassembly having adjustable height gages for supporting electrical boxesbetween supports.

2. Description of the Related Art

In construction of houses and buildings, it is quite common to haveelectrical boxes mounted to the walls or ceilings. These electricalboxes provide support and storage of various wiring devices, lightingfixtures, fans, and many other devices useful in a building. Electricalboxes also provide a space for electrical connections between the wiringdevice or fixture and the wiring of the building. These electrical boxesare normally attached to one or more structural supports, such as joistsor studs. Often the electrical boxes include brackets for directlyattaching the electrical box to the support member, while otherelectrical boxes are attached to a hanger or other support assemblywhich extends between a pair of adjacent structural supports.

There are various mounting assemblies which are currently used forsupporting ceiling fans or other fixtures between a pair of structuralsupports. These assemblies are usually attached to the ceiling joists bya brace, a bar hanger or other suitable member extending between thejoist. FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an existing mountingassembly 10. FIG. 2 is a side view of the mounting assembly 10 ofFIG. 1. The mounting assembly includes two elongated members 12 and 14interconnected in such a manner as to telescopically extend. Theelongated members include end mounts 16 and 18 located on opposing endsof the mounting assembly. The end mounts 16 and 18 typically extendperpendicular to the elongated members. An electrical box 20 is slidablyattached to a bottom side 22 of the elongated members.

The elongated members are expanded to engage adjacent structuralsupports or joists (not shown). The elongated members are expanded untilthe end mounts 16 and 18 frictionally engage the structural supports orceiling joists. Other mounting braces may also include sharp prongs orteeth which are driven into the joists by force.

Although the existing mounting assemblies are acceptable in manyapplications, the installation of such devices can be extremelydifficult and time-consuming. The existing mounting assemblies sufferfrom the disadvantage of lacking easily adjustable gages for the endmounts 16 and 18. The mounting assembly 10 includes the end mounts whichmust be sized in a height of X depending on the size of the electricalbox. Currently, there are several standard electric boxes having variousdepths. With each different depth, the height X of the end mounts mustbe altered, thereby allowing the electrical box to lie flush withwhatever surrounding surface is located. To facilitate the change ofheight, each end mount includes a plurality of horizontally alignedslots 30 (see FIG. 1) located in vertical rows. If necessary, aninstaller may remove a portion of the end mount to change the height ofthe end mount. However, the installer typically must attach pliers orother grappling device to grasp the end mount and repetitively bend backand forth the end mount at the select row of slots until a portion ofthe end mount breaks off. Obviously, this process can be extremelycumbersome when an installer is attempting to affix the mountingassembly to a location above the installer's head.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a mounting assembly withadjustable height gages allowing ease in changing the vertical positionof the height gage. It is an object of the present invention to providesuch an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a mounting assembly forsupporting an electrical box between two supports. The mounting assemblyincludes two elongated members, each having an end mount. The elongatedmembers are slidably coupled to each other, thereby allowing themounting assembly to be telescopically extended. Each elongated memberalso includes an adjustable height gage located on each end mount. Avertical position of the height gage is capable of being adjustedrelative to the mounting assembly. Electrical boxes of various standardsizes may be accommodated by adjusting the height gages.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an end mountaffixed to a mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box betweentwo supports. The end mount is affixed to a support. The end mountincludes an adjustable height gage. The vertical position of the heightgage relative to the mounting assembly may be adjusted. In oneembodiment, the end mount includes a retaining bracket having a slot forretaining the height gage. In addition, the height gage may include ascrew receiving section sized and shaped to engage a screw affixed tothe end mount. The screw may be engaged in the screw receiving sectionand turned to adjust a vertical position of the height gage. In anotherembodiment, the end mount may include a plurality of slots for receivingand retaining the height gage. Positioning the height gage in a specificslot defines the vertical position of the height gage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (prior art) is a bottom perspective view of an existing mountingassembly;

FIG. 2 (prior art) is a side view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a photograph illustrating a bottom perspective view of amounting assembly in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating a top side of the mountingassembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an isolated side view of the height gage on the end mount ofthe mounting assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the end mount and adjustable heightgage;

FIG. 8 illustrates a lower perspective end view of the end mount and theheight gage;

FIG. 9 is an end perspective view of a mounting assembly in an alternateembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates the height gage removed from the end mount.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hangar assembly for supporting electricalboxes between supports having adjustable height gages. FIG. 3 is abottom perspective view illustrating a mounting assembly 100 in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. The mounting assemblyincludes two elongated members 112 and 114 interconnected totelescopically extend. Preferably the perimeter of one of the elongatedmembers is slightly larger than the perimeter of the second elongatedmember to allow the members 112 and 114 to be slidably extended. Theelongated members include end mounts 116 and 118 located on opposingends of the mounting assembly. The end mounts 116 and 118 typicallyextend perpendicular to the elongated members. An electrical box or anyother item may be attached to a bottom side 122 of the elongated membersby an attachment device, such as a bracket. The mounting assembly 100includes two adjustable height gages 130 and 132 located on each endmount. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating a top side 134 ofthe mounting assembly of FIG. 3. The mounting assembly is preferablyconstructed of a strong rigid material, such as metal. The mountingassembly is designed to be used with different depths of electricalboxes such they can be correctly mounted relative to the thickness ofthe plasterboard. The electrical boxes typically come in variousstandard sizes (e.g., pancake, 1 and ½ inch, and 2 and ⅛ inch) for whichthe mounting assembly may accommodate by adjusting the height gages.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting assembly 100 of FIG. 3. The heightgages 130 are each attached to a threaded bolt or screw 140. Turning thescrew 140 lowers or raises the height gage. The height gage is held inplace alongside the end mounts by a retaining bracket 142. Preferablythe bracket includes a slot sized and shaped to enable the height gageto slide vertically.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the height gage 130 on one of the end mounts118. The height gage includes a foot section 160 which enables a supportstructure (e.g., joist, dry wall section, etc) to lie flush against theattached mounting assembly. Additionally, the height gage includes ascrew receiving section 162 which includes an orifice (not shown) forreceiving and retaining the screw 140. The screw is position through aportion of the end mount and into the screw receiving section.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the end mount 116 and adjustable heightgage 130. As shown, the screw includes a hexagonal head 170 which may beturned by use of a wrench, pliers, etc. In an alternate embodiment, thescrew may include a circular head for grasping by a thumb and finger ofthe user. However, the present invention may utilize any screw or boltwith any type of head.

FIG. 8 illustrates a lower perspective end view of the end mount 116 andthe height gage 130. As illustrated, the bottom side 122 may include anopen slot 180 running the entire length of the elongated members 112 and114.

With reference to FIGS. 3-8, the operation of the mounting assembly 100will now be explained. The elongated members 112 and 114 are expanded toengage adjacent structural supports or joists (not shown). Specifically,the elongated members are expanded until the end mounts 16 and 18frictionally engage the structural supports or ceiling joists. Theadjustable height gages 130 and 132 are vertically adjusted by turningeach screw 140 in the appropriate direction. As the height gages movesvertically up and down, the bracket 142 guides the height gage. The footsection 160 moves vertically with the height gage. The foot section ispositioned to lie flush with the support structure (e.g., joist, drywall section, etc.). The screw may be easily turned by use of pliers ora wrench or by twisting the head of the screw with the installer's hand.

FIG. 9 is an end perspective view of a mounting assembly 500 in analternate embodiment of the present invention. The mounting assembly mayinclude an adjustable height gage 502 which is adjustable in height bypositioning the height gage upon selected slots 504, 506, or 508 in theend mount 116. As depicted in FIG. 9, the height gage 502 is positionedin the middle row of slots 506. FIG. 10 is a front perspective viewillustrating the height gage 502 removed from the end mount 116. Theheight gage 502 includes a foot section 510 and two opposing prongs 512for engagement with the slots 504, 506, or 508.

It should be understood, that any adjustable height gage using anymechanism which includes adjustable height gages on end mounts may beused and still remain within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides many advantages over existing mountingassemblies. The present invention enables an installer to easily adjustthe mounting assembly to enable flush attachment to a wide range ofthicknesses of the plasterboard to which the mounting assembly isattached. The present invention does not require the installer to bend aportion of the end mount to remove a portion of the end mount.

While the present invention is described herein with reference toillustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those havingordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided hereinwill recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodimentswithin the scope thereof and additional fields in which the presentinvention would be of significant utility.

Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference toa particular embodiment for a particular application. Those havingordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings willrecognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments withinthe scope thereof.

It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and allsuch applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A mounting assembly for supporting an electrical box between twosupports, the mounting assembly comprising: a first elongated memberhaving a first end mount; a second elongated member having a second endmount; wherein the first and second elongated members are slidablycoupled to enable a telescopic extension of the mounting assembly; thefirst and second mounts each having an adjustable height gage, theheight gage having means for adjusting a vertical position of the heightgage relative to the mounting assembly.
 2. The mounting assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein each height gage includes a foot sectionextending perpendicularly from the height gage, the foot section beingpositioned flush against one of the supports.
 3. The mounting assemblyaccording to claim 2 wherein the means for adjusting a vertical positionof the height gage includes a retaining bracket having a slot forretaining the height gage and allowing vertical movement of the heightgage within the bracket.
 4. The mounting assembly according to claim 3wherein the means for adjusting a vertical height includes a screwreceiving section affixed to the height gage sized and shaped to engagea screw affixed to the end mount, the screw being turned to adjust avertical position of the height gage.
 5. The mounting assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein: the first elongated member includes a first hollowinterior and a first cross section perimeter; and the second elongatedmember includes a second hollow interior and a second cross sectionperimeter sized and shaped to receive the first elongated member.
 6. Themounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the mounting assemblyincludes a bracket for supporting an electrical box upon the mountingassembly.
 7. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein theheight gages are adjusted to accommodate electrical boxes of variousdepths.
 8. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the heightgages are adjusted to accommodate ceiling boards having differentthicknesses, the mounting assembly being affixed to the ceiling board.9. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein: the means foradjusting a vertical position of the height gage includes a plurality ofslots on each end mount for receiving and retaining the height gage. 10.The mounting assembly according to claim 9 wherein each height gageincludes a plurality of prongs sized and shaped for being retained inthe slots of the end mount.
 11. An end mount affixed to a mountingassembly for supporting an electrical box between two supports, the endmount comprising: means for affixing the end mount to a support; and anadjustable height gage, the height gage having means for adjusting avertical position of the height gage relative to the mounting assembly.12. The end mount according to claim 11 wherein the height gage includesa foot section extending perpendicularly from the height gage, the footsection being positioned flush against one of the supports.
 13. The endmount according to claim 12 wherein the means for adjusting a verticalposition of the height gage includes a retaining bracket having a slotfor retaining the height gage and allowing vertical movement of theheight gage within the bracket.
 14. The end mount according to claim 13wherein the means for adjusting a vertical height includes a screwreceiving section affixed to the height gage sized and shaped to engagea screw affixed to the end mount, the screw being turned to adjust avertical position of the height gage.
 15. The end mount according toclaim 11 wherein the height gage is adjusted to accommodate electricalboxes of various depths.
 16. The end mount according to claim 11 whereinthe height gage is adjusted to accommodate ceiling boards havingdifferent thicknesses, the mounting assembly being affixed to theceiling board.
 17. The end mount according to claim 11 wherein: themeans for adjusting a vertical position of the height gage includes aplurality of slots on each end mount for receiving and retaining theheight gage.
 18. The mounting assembly according to claim 17 whereineach height gage includes a plurality of prongs sized and shaped forbeing retained in the slots of the end mount.